Hi!
Well put Bob! I think we all go through a similar phase. I at one time owned
virtually every single historical rule set out there and never got to play
but a handful of them. Over time I have sold off most of them and have
concentrated on only those I really get to play or have a great passion for
(WWII microarmor for example).
Although I have a lot of bones to pick with GW, there is no question what a
great contribution they have made to the wargaming scene. Their minis are
quite fabulous and it was that after all what got most of us into the hobby.
One thing I have learned over these years is the ability to mix models of
different companies and not feel bad about. <sigh> Yes I was too a GW clone
some 5-6 winters ago and I really had a thing of using only official minis
with official rules. Net epic has cured that for good. Like yourself and Ian
I can no longer buy rules and accept them as is nor can I just sit back and
wait to be spoon fed more rules and units. Now I demand to do that myself. I
think thats a good thing, it makes the hobby better and more fun.
I'd like to really highlight Bob's comments on GZG figs. If you play IG or
marines do yourself a favor and buy their 6mm line, they make absolutely
beautiful IG type infantry and the power armor guys look better than GW
marines. If you like Tyranids their "bug" make very good substitutes. Even
though fanatic will make most of the stuff available (so they claim) it
still is expensive so GZG is definately worth everyones time.
I know the feeeling in being in a "player poor" enviorment, I was in one for
the last year. In defense of collecting this is were it comes in handy, if
you got a lot of stuff, solo-gaming can be gratifing. Thank the gods I found
Ed and Darius's group, its good to have fun with actual people again, as
pointed out gaming in a social activity and its much fun to share good times
with fellow gamers and friends.
Peter
>hi Ian
> I read your post below and as I did so I found it difficult not
>to
>smile.. I guess that just changing your name on the bottom and putting my
>own would describe my wargaming history perfecly.. I started historical
>gaming in the late 60's and have followed the exact route you describe..
>My
>shelves are full of unplayed rule sets and my cupboards spilling over with
>unpainted goodies that have never seen a wargames table.. I convert just
>about every figure before painting and my armies are almost unique in their
>appearance ..(Not collectors standard you understand but they satisfy
>me..heheh) Even after all these years I can still feel the pulse racing and
>the old grey matter churning when I get a glimpse of new figures. and what
>figures. How I envy todays gamers when I look at the range and beauty of
>figures available nowadays.. The diversity is stunning.. That diversity is
>very important to me as I too am now a solo gamer.. If you can't have a
>real life opponent then the table can at least look stunning, so yes under
>these circumstances you do tend to become a collector and game in styles
>very different to mainstream gamers..
> Living in an area where gaming is a rarity you get the
>opportunity to observe from a distance so to speak.. I find the way in
>which gaming has split into wargamers and GW'ers very sad.. as a wargamer
>I
>think GW have given a lot to gaming and in particular to figure standards..
>Like them or loathe them their figures, price apart, are stunning and the
>standard of painting they have inspired in a whole generation of gamers is
>self evident to one such as I who visited conventions in the 70's and is
>left gobsmacked by the beautiful modelling and terrain I see now.. To
>ignore their products out of principle as do many gamers, is to lose a
>source of fuigures and ideas.. Conversely many gamers go through their
>whole
>existence thinking that the sun rises in the region of GW's rear orifice
>and
>believe that unless it wears a GW logo then its pure crap.. It's all a
>great shame because if you "pick n mix" you can end up with great games and
>great figure collections..
> Finally another post bemoaned the lack of figures for Epic... Well
>if
>your not a GW purist then other figures and damn fine ones at that are
>available.. My own favourite for human "Empire" figures are the Ground zero
>Games dirtside range. They have about 8 different packs and I have
>assembled
>some very smart units from these figures as, I suppose you would label
>them,
>"imperial guard" .GZG also have an alien pack.. Other suppliers producing
>"Nice" figures are Scotia and Adler.. All are adaptable if you are not "an
>adherent of chapter approved.. I have been helped by finding many years
>ago
>a box of some 300 squats at a bring and buy all of which were equipped with
>heavy bolters or rocket launchers.. With These I separate the weapons from
>the figure and stick them to my substitute ranges to give them a 40k feel
>but it's not really necassary.. if anyone would like to see some scans of
>painted examples I would be happy to oblige . just send me your E address
>and I will mail you the pics..
> Anyway enough rambling for now..
>
> Bob deAngelis
>
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download :
http://explorer.msn.com
Received on Wed Dec 06 2000 - 15:35:29 UTC